Low Wide

Low Wide is a fundamental design principle and aesthetic approach characterized by horizontal emphasis in form, where the width of an object or structure significantly exceeds its height, creating a strong sense of groundedness and stability. This compositional strategy, deeply rooted in both natural and architectural forms, emerged as a significant design consideration during the modernist movement of the 20th century, particularly in architectural and industrial design. The low-wide configuration serves multiple purposes, including enhanced structural stability, improved aerodynamics in vehicular applications, and the creation of visually commanding presence through horizontal expansion rather than vertical reach. In furniture design, low-wide forms often contribute to ergonomic functionality while expressing a sense of sophistication and contemporary aesthetics. The principle has been particularly influential in automotive design, where low-wide proportions not only improve vehicle performance through better weight distribution and reduced center of gravity but also create a more dynamic and sporty visual appearance. In architectural applications, low-wide structures often integrate harmoniously with their surroundings, minimizing visual impact while maximizing spatial efficiency. This design approach has gained recognition in various design competitions, including the A' Design Award, where products and structures embodying these principles have been celebrated for their innovative interpretation of form and function. The aesthetic appeal of low-wide design lies in its ability to create a sense of horizontal movement and flow, often associated with stability, permanence, and groundedness, while challenging traditional vertical-oriented design paradigms.

Author: Lucas Reed

Keywords: horizontal design, ground-hugging architecture, spatial expansion, stability aesthetics, proportional balance, aerodynamic form

Help us improve the Design+Encyclopedia, contribute your alternative definition for Low Wide today!

About the Design+Encyclopedia
The Design+Encyclopedia is a crowd-sourced reference of information on design. Unlike other crowd-sourced publications on design, the Design Encyclopedia is edited and actively monitored and publishing is only possible after review of submitted texts. Furthermore, editors of the Design Encyclopedia are mostly consisting of award winning designers who have proven their expertise in their design respective fields. Information posted at design encyclopedia is copyrighted, you are not granted a right to use the text for any commercial reasons, attribution is required. If you wish to contribute to the design encyclopedia, please first register or login to A' Design Award and then start a new design encyclopedia entry.